TICKETS sold out for our first social event since before the pandemic, when the Association welcomed author and life peer Baroness Kate Fall to a fundraising luncheon. Hosted by chairman Gavin Elsey, who collected her from the railway station, Kate was greeted by MP Shailesh Vara as she arrived at the Bell Inn, Stilton and Association secretary Judith Wojtowicz.
After lunch, Kate charmed everyone with stories of life at No 10 during her time as deputy chief of staff to former Prime Minister David Cameron, captured in her best selling book 'The Gatekeeper'.
Among the follow-up questions was a tricky one related to the Coalition years when the Conservatives joined forces with Nick Clegg's Lib Dems, and another from a guest who reminded Kate that she was described by a journalist as the 'most influential woman in British politics'. "I was only ever the PM's representative," she countered. "Everything I said and did was in his name."
The turnout included local councillors from Huntingdonshire and Peterborough together with Party members from across the constituency as well as a handful of supporters who travelled from outside the area, despite concerns reported by the media of a fuel crisis! Young Conservative co-ordinator Adam Bream and fellow YCs managed book sales as people queued to have their copy signed by the author.
Special thanks go to Waterstones for supplying the books, and to Carole Bartron of Elorac Crafts who donated a truly unique decoration for the lunch tables. These were made up of a posy of flowers with a tiny felt dormouse appearing to climb up out of the posy, holding on by his tail as he clambered up a stray piece of foliage. Kate's thank you gift was kindly donated by B-Line Health and Beauty.
Chairman Gavin said afterwards it had been a fabulous occasion. "Meet the Author was a very different kind of event for us, and after 18 months of lockdowns, and worries over COVID, we were absolutely delighted with the response. Kate has given us a great start to our 2021/22 social programme; we thank everyone who supported us and look forward to seeing you all again very soon."
